Why Do Some Motorbike Riders Wear a Helmet and Others Don't? Evidence from Delhi, India

Arbeitspapier

We focus on helmet use behavior among motorbike users in Delhi. We use a detailed data set collected for the purpose of the study. To guide our empirical analysis, we rely on a simple model in which drivers decide on self-protection and self-insurance. The empirical findings suggest that risk averse drivers are more likely to wear a helmet, there is no systematic effect on speed. Helmet use also increases with education. Drivers who show a higher awareness of road risks are both more likely to wear a helmet and to speed less. Controlling for risk awareness, we observe that drivers tend to compensate between speed and helmet use. The results can provide a basis for awareness-raising policies. Improvements to the road infrastructure bear the risk of leading to risk-compensating behavior.

Object Details

• Language: Englisch

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: Series: IZA Discussion Papers ; No. 8042

Classification and Topics

• Classification: Wirtschaft ; Household Behavior: General ; Health: General ; Health and Economic Development ; Illegal Behavior and the Enforcement of Law ; Transportation: Demand, Supply, and Congestion; Travel Time; Safety and Accidents; Transportation Noise
• Subject: road safety ; helmet use ; risky health behavior ; self-protection ; self-insurance ; India ; risk-taking behavior

Contributors, Places and Time

• Event: Geistige Schöpfung
• (who): Grimm, Michael ; Treibich, Carole
• Event: Veröffentlichung
• (who): Institute for the Study of Labor (IZA)
• (where): Bonn
• (when): 2014

Further information

• Handle: http://hdl.handle.net/10419/96773
• Last update: 10.03.2025, 11:43 AM CET